This is a massive KTM design flaw. The bolts that hold on the tank spoilers screw into captured nuts moulded into the surface of the tank. After a few years when you try to undo the spoiler the captured nut starts to turn. It's one of those lurching stomach moments because once they spin there is absolutely no way to get out the bolt except to drill. It's a tank write off and KTM have stopped honouring the warranty claims now. I've tried for a week now soaking in penetrating oil, AC50, WD40 the works. I've tried injecting liquid superglue to see if I can trap the nut again. I've tried swearing quite a lot too but it makes no difference. The fooker is stuck and the nut is spinning.

But this afternoon time my 6 year old son made magic happen! He got a good way with a 3mm drill bit - enough to get the bolt really hot and on a whim I stopped him and had a go with an allen key - one last try before going up a 2mm and "off with the head". And LO - the heat had done what no amount of AC50 or penetrating oil had managed. The fooker just unscrewed. Hurray!

On my old 990, the bottom captive bolt just started to turn with the nut buried in the bottom of the tank. In the end I just levered the combo down, bending the spoiler away and did the reverse when reattaching the spoiler. Who ever owns the bike now is probably doing the same as I was ( if he's lazy)

Both my bottom captive nuts started turning years ago. I just don't bother using those fixing points.

One day I will cut up his tank and make 6 small pieces of black plastic with six spinning captive nuts and make a sort of sculpture/presentation piece and send it to some high ranking KTM marketing guy with a note that this is to sit on his desk and remind him that "Ready to race" slogan is only as good as the real experience and that maybe they should change their slogan to "Really not up to it" and he should go fook himself.

bic_bicknell wrote:One day I will cut up his tank and make 6 small pieces of black plastic with six spinning captive nuts and make a sort of sculpture/presentation piece and send it to some high ranking KTM marketing guy with a note that this is to sit on his desk and remind him that "Ready to race" slogan is only as good as the real experience and that maybe they should change their slogan to "Really not up to it" and he should go fook himself.

Comrade Bic: I bet this company is yet another that has been hijacked by accountants or smart arses in suits. The old "Ready to Race" guys are probably shaking their heads as well.

I had one seize on my adv. I put an allen key fixing in the drill, and span it whilst pulling on the panel, and melted it out of the tank. Cleaned it up, and glued the nut back in. It's been fine ever since, it's not a tank write off.